Pittsford superintendent outlines new statewide device rules and district procedures at first reading

PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Superintendent Mike Pero on Aug. 12 presented the first reading of the Pittsford Central School District’s 2025–26 personal electronic device regulations, describing how the district will implement state requirements that aim to make classrooms “distraction free from bell to bell.”

Pero said the change originated in the governor’s enacted budget and that the district solicited feedback from principals, the PTSA, the superintendent’s student advisory committee, PDTA leaders and others before drafting regulations. He said the regulations will be presented for adoption at the next board meeting.

Key points Pero outlined: K–5 students must keep devices powered off and stored in their backpacks during the school day; grades 6–12 students must secure devices in a locker or locked vehicle. Secondary students will be allowed to use devices up until the warning bell, then secure them for the school day. Overnight or after-school trips may allow devices consistent with the district code of conduct, but devices are not permitted on school-day field trips.

The district will provide supervised ways for parents and guardians to reach students via the main office, and building procedures will vary across the district’s nine schools, Pero said. He said the district plans two school days at the start of the year devoted to teaching students routines such as powering off devices and using lockers, noting that many secondary students have not regularly used lockers in recent years.

Exemptions: Pero said the law and the district’s draft regulations will allow exemptions for medical needs (for example, use of a phone to monitor a glucose device), for students with IEPs or 504 plans, and for translation services. Some exemptions may require a doctor’s note or review by the school physician.

Enforcement and reporting: “We are responsible for tracking all incidents and then reporting all incidents of any violations,” Pero said. He said the district will log disciplinary incidents in Infinite Campus to produce reports for the state. He described progressive discipline: an initial warning, subsequent meetings with parents/guardians and detentions, and — if a student repeatedly fails to comply — confiscation and storage of devices; after multiple infractions the district may move to in-school suspension. Pero emphasized that “out of school suspension is not allowed, per the law.”

District next steps: The superintendent said the board and staff will finalize regulations and practices and distribute guidance to families; the draft will return to the board for approval at the next meeting. Board members will also have roles participating in outreach and oversight as the policy is implemented.